Residents in a quiet neighbourhood are worried a giant Union Flag painted on a nearby home could cause property price values on the street to crumble.
Simon Brocklehurst spent 12 hours plastering the 19ft x 22ft flag on his four-bed end-terraced home in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, in what he calls a ‘patriotic gesture’.
The 41-year-old welder’s gigantic flag was created after neighbours tore down a St George’s cross which he had been flying in his front garden.
Simon admits his response has seen him become ‘public enemy number one’ but insists he’s mainly received praise for his display.
But some locals have said they worry the ‘garish’ red, white and blue paint-job would now devalue their own homes if they wanted to sell up.
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One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘It just sticks out like a sore thumb doesn’t it? I don’t know what he’s thinking really.
‘It is going to lower hour prices along the street, who would want to live by that, it’s a bit of a garish mess. It looks really out of place; it’s a shame.
‘I don’t have a strong opinion one way or another about all this flag flying – but I know they don’t belong plastered all over the front of your house.’
However, another neighbour disagreed and added: ‘We think it looks great and brightens up the area. I don’t know why people are moaning.’
Simon first painted the St George’s cross on the front of his home last week after having his England flag ripped down by disgruntled neighbours.
But he transformed it into a Union Flag over three days this week as part of a ‘peaceful protest’ without joining anti-illegal immigration marches.
Dad-of-three Simon said: ‘It started off as a St George’s cross, but my intention was always to turn it into the Union Flag.
‘I don’t think it will affect house prices that much. There’s an abandoned pub and a derelict house a few doors down; surely that will have more of an impact. And even if it has, I’m not planning on moving anywhere; I’ve lived here since I was five years old. It’s just a quick paint job anyway.
‘All I’m doing is trying to bring a bit of hope. If it makes one person smile and feel patriotic, then I’ve done my job. I don’t think anybody can be offended by a flag really.’
He added that he does support the ‘Raise the Colours’ movement, but decided not to take part in the protests.
‘All the hate appears to be coming from social media Facebook warriors but in real-life I’ve had no complaints and experienced mainly positive comments,’ he said.
‘But without this flag, you wouldn’t have freedom of speech, so I respect their right to say what they want about it. I have no plans to paint over it; it will stay like this until somebody orders me to remove it.’
In many parts of England, the red and white St George’s Cross flag has become unavoidable in recent weeks.
Sadly, the flag has been embraced by far-right nationalists.
When Musk posted an image of the St George’s Cross a few weeks ago, it was shared by anti-Islam agitator Tommy Robinson who added: ‘Revolution is coming, nothing can stop it’.
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